The Past and Future of the Kaffir-Races. in three parts ... With a map and illustrations

Front matter

TIITOJRJK KAWHK TOJHJJ8IER SWJWINIB THE __1UMJ AND NATO1U WA« BMESS . THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE KAFFIR RACES. IN THREE PARTS. I. THEIR HISTORY. II. THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. III. THE MEANS NEEDFUL FOR THEIR PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT. BV. THE REV. WILLIAM C. HOLDEN. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY TWEN'TY-SEVES YEARS I.N i,OBIU AFBICA. WITH A MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOB THE AUTHOR; AND SOLD AT 66, PATERNOSTER ROW : ALSO BY RICHARDS, GLANVILLE, AND CO., SOUTH At'RICA ; AND G. C. CATO, ESQ., PORT NATAL. LONDON : miNTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 46, H0XT(__._5OTAR_. PKEFACE. Twelve years ago the original manuscript of this work was prepared, as announced in my "History of Natal;" but as the volume was not then published, it has remained in abeyance ever since. The delay has, however, been advantageous.

In the course of these years, changes on a gigantic scale have taken place; so much so, that nearly the whole work has necessarily been re-arranged and rewritten; such parts being added as the altered condition and circumstances of the people and country caUed for. Amongst the additions may be named, the whole of that part which relates to the Kaffirs in Kaffirland proper, and on the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony ; a complete and connected account being now given of all the tribes and races from Port Elizabeth to Delagoa Bay. At the close of the war of 1852, a large tract of country on the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony was taken from the Kaffirs, and added to the Colony. This transfer, and events connected therewith, are distinctly recorded in the History ; as also the bearing of these things upon the condition and prospects of the people.

Perhaps prejudice may arise in the minds of some, on the ground of the author being a minister and missionary; but I am persuaded that those persons who a

Preface

. give the work a careful and impartial perusal, will be satisfied that I have sought to treat the many points in which Colonists and Kaffirs are brought into contact and coUision, with caudour and fairness. On some sub jects, there wdl doubtless be a difference of opinion ; but in such instances due allowance must be made for the different aspects whicli they assume, as beheld from the stand-point of different persons and events. It ought to be conceded that, if fairness and justice are scrupulously observed in reference to the European colonists, the natives also have their claims* to consideration and equity. Nay, more so ; because they have no means of making themselves heard and understood through the medium of books and newspapers, as the European colonists have. It is therefore incumbent upon every one who writes upon their affairs, to do them full justice.

My object in this work has been to secure completeness, correctness, and thoroughness ; so that in all time to come it may be referred to as a reliable authority on every im portant question relating to the Kaffir races. Not that error can be totaUy avoided, or every particular recorded, when the subjects are so varied and multifarious ; but it is hoped that all which is really desirable or important on these topics has here a place. I am conscious of the many defects inseparable from such a work ; but I cannot hide from myself the fact, that I have for the last twenty-six years been placed in the most favourable chcumstances for acquiring correct and ex tensive information on the topics brought under review. Li both the Cape and Natal Colonies, I have numbered amongst my personal friends many ministers and colonists of long experience and extensive information, who have themselves witnessed those scenes, facts, and events which they have related. The numerous books and periodicals that were calculated to correct error or impart informa-

PREFACE.

. V tion, have also been carefully perused. The nature of my ministerial and pastoral duties has also brought me into such close contact with the Kaffirs, that I have been obliged to become acquainted with many things of which I must otherwise have remained ignorant. Amongst the works from which extracts have been taken, only two require notice. These are Chase's " Natal Papers," and " Laws and Customs of the Kaffirs." Prom the former, quotations are given relating to the early history of Natal and the Amazulu chiefs ; the work itself being now so scarce, as seldom to be met with. Of the latter, " Kaffir Laws and Customs, compiled by direction of Colonel M'Lean, Chief Commissioner of British Kaf fraria," the object was to obtain correct information upon all points of Kaffir custom and jurisprudence, for the guidance of magistrates and officers in their official duties.

The Rev. H. H. Dugmore, J. C. Warner, Tembookie agent, Charles Brownlee, Esq., Ghika Commissioner, and John Ayliff, Esq., were the persons from whom information was sought ; and those who are acquainted with these gentle men, will readily admit that no higher authorities could be obtained. They have lived many years among the Kaffirs, are familiar with their customs, have a thorough knowledge of their language, and are well informed upon all matters relating to them; their unimpeachable in tegrity, at the same time, placing them above the taint of suspicion. The book is smaU and scarce ; and, as wiU be seen, I have made several extracts from it relating to the various tribes on the frontier and in Kaffirland proper. The map has been prepared with all possible care ; and in order to make it as distinct and definite as possible, I have confined it simply to that part of South Africa where the Kaffir races reside. As compared with other maps, it will be found that the Colony of Natal is of much larger extent than in them. This arises from my having added VI

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. those parts which have recently been taken in from Kaffirland, and attached to the Colony. The different divisions occupied by the various tribes in the interior are defined with as much accuracy as possible; but, in the absence of actual survey, positive exactness cannot be obtained. The illustrations also have been prepared on the spot, with great care, by competent artists ; and are executed so as to give a correct view of those subjects, persons, and events to wliich they relate. They are designed rather to " Ulus trate the text, than adorn the page." Chapters have been adopted in the arrangement, in order to enable the reader to peruse any particular subject upon which he seeks information, by a reference to the Table of Contents, without having to go through the book. Some of these chapters are short, others long, according to the nature of the subject.

The division of the work into Three Parts may also assist the reader to gain readily an idea of the author's scope. On the subject of the land question there may be the appearance of tautology, but upon examination this will be found to exist more in appearance than reahty ; as it is presented in the different phases in which it affects the improvement of the natives under different chcumstances, and is of too great importance to be passed over lightly. Great polish of style will not be expected by the reader, when it is considered that the busy, active, unceasing duties of his office preclude the possibihty of the author's paying much attention to literary pursuits ; but he hopes that clearness, correctness, and completeness have been attained. A recent Prench writer has said, " I am sure that I put much trust in erudition ; but I stiU more beUeve in the general feeling, in the constant opinion, of mankind. Erudition is often too keen-sighted to see weU ; she perceives each of the particulars, to the prejudice of

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. VII the whole. So many are the exceptions she descries, that she mistakes them for the rule. If we want to encompass the large bulk of history, let us not take a microscope, but be content with our eyes." My objects in the preparation of this book are,— -first, the real benefit of the Kaffir races; — second, to impart much truthful, interesting information to the general reader, which may do something towards advancing the knowledge of aU that relates to men and nations ; — third, to furnish information which may be useful to Government authorities in the various momentous questions which may come before them from time to" time ; — and fourth, to arouse interest in the minds of the Christian public on behalf of one of the most interesting barbarous nations in the world, and to caU forth systematic and energetic action for their preservation and improvement.

I am now on a visit to England, intending shortly to return to South Africa ; but in my intercourse with those persons with whom I have associated in this country, I have been astonished at how httle is known about the Kaffirs, and how httle interest is felt in tlieir welfare. Surely a mUlion of this people are worth caring for, and deserve something better than simply to melt away before the face of the white man. Happy shall I be if these pages in any way contribute to their preservation and improvement. William C. Holden. Folkestone, 1866, CONTENTS. PART T. HISTORY OF THE KAFFIR RACES.

Appendix

507 GENEALOGICAL TABLE OF THE AMAXOSA CHIEFS. \ 1846 142 GENEALOGY OF THE KAFFIR CHIEFS 147 POPULATION RETURNS, BRITISH KAFFRARIA, 1857 AND 1864 CONTENTS. ILLUSTRATIONS. TAGS three kaffir warriors in their war-dress Frontispiece MAP 1 Assassination of utshaka by udingaan 42 slaughter of retief and dutch farmers at udingaan's capital 63 closing scene of the battle on the tugela 70 assassination of udingaan by the amaswazi 84 four kaffirs in dancing costume 141 domestic vessels and war weapons, etc 160 kaffir kraal, and smelting iron ore 223 eleven kaffir figure3 on a journey 257 battle between the amazulu and natal kaffirs on the tugela river 341 umgeni waterfall 407 group of kaffir figures